A UNIQUE piece of Aspatria’s history has been preserved and restored following a town council project.

The Brae Lamp has stood in the town for more than 100 years and was at the centre of many New Year’s Eve parties in the town. 

Over recent years the lamp has fallen into a state of disrepair.

But a project organised by the town council has ensured that the lamp will shine bright over Aspatria for years to come.

News and Star: The lamp before the restorationThe lamp before the restoration (Image: Aspatria Town Council)“Sometime last year we talked about it needing painted and that’s when it all started,” said Aspatria town clerk, Kelly Cooper.

“It had been run down for a while, so we decided to do something about it.

“We've given it a new lick of paint and we’ve even managed to get power to it as well so I'm just over the moon.

“The lamp means so much to the older generation. One of our councillors is 83, and he's been on the council for such a long time, and he said he’s ‘chuffed to bits’ about the restoration.

“Years ago, it was always a focal point in the town and at New Year's Eve especially, everyone would gather round and the lamp would be decorated.

"We want to try and get that back.

News and Star: The old location of the Brae LampThe old location of the Brae Lamp (Image: Aspatria Town Council)“The lamp just looks amazing and everybody, I think, will be over the moon with it.”

The project to restore the Brae Lamp has been underway since January and the lamp will officially shine again for the first time to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

As part of the national commemorations for the start of allied liberation of France in 1944, communities are being asked to light beacons at 9.15pm on June 6.

Aspatria Town Council have got the green light to use the Brae Lamp as part of the commemoration.

Going forward, the lamp has been fitted with a sensor and will come on with the street lights in Aspatria.